2005-2008
8 0 " P a s t e l P a i n t i n g s
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These large-scale 80" Pastel Paintings followed the 40" Pastel Paintings. Working horizontally, I completely wet the large sheet of paper and worked from the nude model with compressed pastel, which, when wet, is very intense, thick, spontaneous, uncontrollable and sensuous. I could not be clean or accurate, but I could wash out and put in new heads and figures as often as needed until something unexpected happened. By this process a world peopled with unusual characters emerged. I discovered a form of psychological realism, a commentary on the human condition and interrelationships. It's the psychological aspect that interests me, and I believe the viewer responds to. It sucks them in and keeps them there, sometimes uncomfortably so.
Some of the figures here are used in the Appropriating Myself series, 2017, and Twins, Triplets, Quadruplets series, 2023-2024.